DIS president: Speedway using 2012 Rolex 24 for momentum for 2013

Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III admits living up to last year's Rolex 24 At Daytona will be a tall task.

CHRIS GRAHAMSTAFF WRITER

DAYTONA BEACH — Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III admits living up to last year's Rolex 24 At Daytona will be a tall task. But he believes the Speedway will be able to keep the pedal to the metal. “We have lightning in a bottle,” he said of the 51st Rolex 24. It's a year removed from one of the most celebrated races at Daytona International Speedway, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24. Officials rolled out the red carpet as past champions paraded down the streets of the city and a star-studded field took to the track. Some of the hype may be scaled back this year, but the event still will have plenty of substance, Chitwood said. Ferraris will hit the track, tent camping will be expanded to outside the Speedway and more displays will be available in the infield. Media officials estimated 60,000 to 80,000 people attended last year's race, by far the most-attended Rolex ever. While the Speedway doesn't release attendance figures, Chitwood said he expects the Speedway will see the same attendance figures this year. Hoteliers across Volusia and Flagler counties are already predicting most rooms will be sold out through the weekend. “I feel really good about the attention we're getting,” Chitwood said. “We've maintained everything” compared to last year, and “we've added some things, too,” he said. In a response to record-breaking crowds, Chitwood said the Speedway will expand its tent camping to the outside of the track for the Rolex 24. An area of the GEICO Park West lot, traditionally reserved for RV parking, will be designated for tents, he said. “The demand is so high,” Chitwood said. “We want to give everybody the opportunity” to experience it. Cost for camping will be $20 per car, said Speedway spokesman Andrew Booth. Guests may go in and out of the lot and show their camping ticket for re-entry, Booth said. A portable shower trailer will be available for the campers. Speedway officials also will be making the most of things inside the confines of the racetrack as well. This year, a Ferrari Challenge, the longest single marquee racing series in North America, is an addition to the schedule. Chitwood added that Formula Vee or Volkswagen cars will be on the track to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the series. On the infield, a Mazda display will be offered as well as 10 cars driven by this year's Rolex grand marshal, Hurley Haywood, who has claimed five victories at the Rolex. Fans will be able to enjoy the staples of the infield fun, including the famed Ferris Wheel and carnival atmosphere, late-night karaoke and the Taste of the 24, featuring food from 24 area restaurants, Chitwood said. Compared to the 50th Anniversary race, the field is missing the likes of “Grey's Anatomy” heartthrob Patrick Dempsey and AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson. But the 24-hour race and drivers participating will “be outstanding,” said Herb Branham, managing director of communications for Grand-Am Road Racing. Some of the drivers include two Daytona 500 champions — Jamie McMurray and Michael Waltrip — a number of Indy 500 champions — Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon — and IndyCar Series champions, Branham said. This year's Rolex will pave the way for big changes to next year's lineup for the 2014 race. Branham said next year's race will be the debut for the widely anticipated GRAND-AM/American Le Mans racing merger that will create perhaps the most competitive field seen at the Rolex 24. Chitwood and Branham said the anticipation is already building. “The field is going to be even more spectacular, surely rivaling North American sports car racing's glory days of the 1980s and early 1990s,” Branham wrote in an email. “It's going to be significant to say the least.” For now, though, Chitwood is only thinking of this year. “We've been able to step it up,” he said. “I'm really excited, I think we're going to continue to grow this event.”